Each eclipse, just like a snowflake, is unique. Each has a different path, maximum totality length, and impact on a population.
And the eclipse that will occur on Monday (8), visible from various parts of the United States, is no exception. It will be a unique event.
The reason boils down to a few key pieces of mathematics.
The Sun will be 416 times farther from Earth than the Moon, at a ratio of 416:1. In other words, the Moon will appear to be 1.04 times the size of the Sun from our perspective on the surface. For comparison, during the 2017 eclipse, the Sun was only 409 times (409:1) farther from Earth than the Moon, meaning the Moon appeared to be only 1.02 times the size of the Sun relative to Earth.
Additionally, in 2017, the path of totality measured only 62 to 71 miles wide, and the maximum length of totality was just 2 minutes and 42 seconds. In 2024, the path will be between 108 and 190 kilometers wide, and the maximum totality will last 4 minutes and 28 seconds in an area about 25 minutes northwest of Torreón, Mexico, according to NASA.
But that’s not all that makes this eclipse special. In 2024, the path crosses a greater number of major population centers than the 2017 eclipse, allowing 31.6 million people to see the eclipse without leaving their city, compared to just 12 million in 2017. Furthermore, one of the most fascinating aspects of a total solar eclipse is the view of the solar corona during totality. In 2024, the Sun will enter one of its most active periods, known as solar maximum, which will provide a much greater display of corona activity compared to 2017, when we were near a solar minimum.Don’t forget the special glasses
If you are in one of the regions that will experience totality of the eclipse, one of the best ways to ensure that you can witness this unique moment safely and comfortably is to check that the solar eclipse glasses you managed to acquire are approved for this specific use.
‘Eclipse Glasses’ with “ISO certification” means that the lenses you purchased or obtained for free are considered safe for viewing the eclipse.
The standard set by ISO for “direct solar observation” is classified as “ISO 12312-2:2015,” which means that any products marketed or advertised as viewing glasses for “solar eclipse” that meet the standard “will protect your eyes from injury” and provide a “comfortable view.”
Visit the American Astronomical Society’s page for additional safety information regarding standards application, requirements, and compliance assessment.
Source: The USA Today